🍑 Southern Peach Buttermilk Pound Cake 🍰
🌟 Introduction:
Southern Peach Buttermilk Pound Cake is a luscious dessert that beautifully blends tradition, texture, and flavor. Made with ripe peaches, rich buttermilk, and classic pound cake ingredients, this cake is moist, dense, and perfectly sweet. It’s a Southern gem that evokes memories of summer picnics, porch gatherings, and Sunday suppers. Whether served plain, glazed, or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, it’s guaranteed to steal the show.
🛒 Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup buttermilk (at room temperature)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp almond extract (optional)
- 2 cups fresh or canned peaches, diced (drained if canned)
For the Peach Glaze (optional):
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp peach juice or milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
👩🍳 Instructions & Method:
- Preheat & Prepare:
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
- Grease and flour a 10-inch Bundt pan or tube pan.
- Cream the Butter & Sugar:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy (about 2–3 minutes).
- Gradually add sugar and beat until light and fluffy (another 3–5 minutes).
- Add the Eggs:
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Combine Dry Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Alternate Mixing:
- Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in three parts, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the flour.
- Mix just until combined—do not overmix.
- Flavor It:
- Stir in the vanilla and almond extracts.
- Fold in Peaches:
- Gently fold the diced peaches into the batter.
- Bake:
- Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 70–80 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool & Glaze:
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then invert onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- If using glaze, mix all glaze ingredients and drizzle over the cooled cake.
🧬 Formation:
The pound cake’s name comes from the traditional formula: a pound each of butter, sugar, eggs, and flour. This Southern variation honors that tradition while incorporating the seasonal sweetness of peaches and the tang of buttermilk. The batter’s richness forms a tight crumb, while the buttermilk ensures a tender, moist texture.
📜 History:
Pound cakes date back to the 1700s in Europe, where the formula was easy to remember and feed large families. In the American South, local ingredients like peaches and buttermilk were added to enhance flavor. Peaches, a staple crop in Georgia, became a symbol of Southern hospitality, making this cake a timeless treat.
✅ Benefits:
- Homemade Goodness: No preservatives, just simple, honest ingredients.
- Versatile: Can be served at brunch, tea, dessert, or celebrations.
- Nutritious Add-ins: Fresh peaches provide vitamin C and dietary fiber.
- Comforting Texture: Dense yet tender, ideal for soaking in glazes or sauces.
🧁 Nutrition (Approx. per slice, 1/12 cake):
- Calories: 420
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Sugar: 32g
- Protein: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Vitamin C (from peaches): ~5% DV
(Note: Values vary based on ingredients and serving size.)
💕 For the Lovers of Southern Flavor:
This cake is a tribute to those who love the elegance of a classic dessert with a twist. Peach lovers will relish the burst of fruit in every bite, while fans of traditional pound cakes will appreciate the buttery base. It’s a warm hug in dessert form, perfect for family reunions or a quiet afternoon on the porch.
📌 Conclusion:
Southern Peach Buttermilk Pound Cake is more than just a dessert—it’s a nostalgic journey through the flavors of the South. With its rich history, delightful texture, and comforting flavor, it’s a must-try for any home baker. Serve it up with love, and it’ll quickly become a favorite in your recipe box.
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